Quitting or being let go in BC and Ontario

Jobs end for many reasons. You might find a better job, go back to school, or move. Or your employer might let you go. Either way, the law protects some of your rights when a job ends.

This guide covers the basics for BC and Ontario. We checked these facts on October 12, 2026. Follow the links for the latest details. This is general information, not legal advice.

If you decide to quit

BC. The law doesn't require you to give notice when you quit, but employers usually like some notice (Quitting or getting fired). If you have worked there for at least 3 months in a row, give notice, and your employer ends your job before your last day, it owes you pay. The amount is the smaller of the notice you had left, or what the law would require if it had let you go (section 63).

Ontario. Ontario's guide to the Employment Standards Act describes resignation notice rules for special cases, such as after a mass termination notice (termination of employment). Read your contract or employee handbook, because it may ask for notice.

In both provinces, giving notice is a good idea. Many people give two weeks. It helps you leave on good terms and keep your manager as a reference.

How to resign:

Tell your manager in person or by phone first, if you can.
Follow up with a short email or letter. For example: "I'm writing to let you know I'm resigning from my position. My last day will be Friday, November 6. Thank you for the chance to work here."
Keep working well until your last day.
Return your uniform, keys, or name tag.

Before you quit, think about money. If you quit without a good reason, you may not get Employment Insurance (EI). See the EI section below.

If your employer ends your job

You might hear "let go," "fired," "terminated," or "laid off." Ask your manager which one it is and whether it is permanent. If you can, ask for it in writing.

BC. If your employer ends your job, it must give you written working notice, pay instead of notice, or a mix of both (Quitting or getting fired):

3 months or less: no notice or pay
More than 3 months: 1 week
More than 1 year: 2 weeks
More than 3 years: 3 weeks, plus 1 week for each extra year, up to 8 weeks

You don't get this if you quit, retire, or are fired for just cause. Just cause means a serious offence, such as stealing, fraud, or harassing others, and your employer must prove it. Minor problems, like being late, are not just cause on their own. To let you go for those without notice or pay, your employer must first explain the standard, warn you, and give you a fair chance to improve.

Ontario. If you have worked for at least 3 months in a row, your employer must give you written notice, termination pay instead, or a mix (termination of employment):

Less than 1 year: 1 week
1 year to less than 3 years: 2 weeks
3 years or more: 1 week for each full year, up to 8 weeks

There is an exception for "wilful misconduct, disobedience or wilful neglect of duty" that is not trivial and that the employer has not condoned. Termination pay is paid as one lump sum, and you earn vacation pay on it. During the notice period, your employer must keep paying its share of your benefits.

Severance pay in Ontario is a separate payment. It only applies after 5 or more years with an employer that has a payroll of at least $2.5 million, or that let 50 or more people go within 6 months because all or part of its business closed for good (severance pay).

Your contract may give you more than these minimums. For that kind of question, talk to a lawyer or a legal clinic.

Your final pay

BC. Your final pay is due (Quitting or getting fired):

within 48 hours after your last day of work, if your employer ended your job
within 6 days after your last day of work, if you quit

All vacation pay you are owed must be on your last paycheque (annual vacation).

Ontario. Wages you are owed, including vacation pay, must be paid by the later of 7 days after your job ends, or your next regular payday (payment of wages). Termination pay has the same deadline.

Before you leave, save copies of your pay stubs and schedules. You may lose access to the work app after your last day. See How to read your pay stub.

Your Record of Employment (ROE)

A Record of Employment shows your work history: your insurable hours and earnings. Service Canada calls it the most important document for applying for EI (ROE).

Your employer must issue an ROE when you have an "interruption of earnings." This includes when you quit, are laid off, or are let go, and you have 7 days in a row with no work and no pay from that employer (ROE guide).
Employers who file online generally have 5 calendar days after the end of the pay period in which your job ended.
You can view and print your ROE in My Service Canada Account. You don't need a paper copy to apply for EI.

Employment Insurance (EI) basics

EI regular benefits can help while you look for a new job. To get them, you generally need to show that you (EI eligibility):

worked in insurable employment
lost your job through no fault of your own
have been without work and pay for at least 7 days in a row
worked enough insurable hours in the qualifying period, usually the last 52 weeks. You need between 420 and 700 hours, depending on the unemployment rate in your region
are ready, willing, and able to work each day, and are actively looking for work

If you quit. You can't get regular benefits if you quit without "just cause." Service Canada says just cause means that, considering everything, quitting was the only reasonable choice. Examples it lists include harassment, unsafe working conditions, and big changes to your pay or duties. You should try other reasonable options first, such as raising the problem with your employer (voluntary leaving).

If you were fired for misconduct, you may not get regular benefits either.

Apply right away. If you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. You can send documents after you apply. You will need your SIN, your ROEs, and your banking information (apply for EI). If you're not sure you qualify, apply anyway. Service Canada will decide.

For EI questions, call 1-800-206-7218 (EI contact).

Where to get help

BC: Call the Employment Standards Branch at 1-833-236-3700, in the language of your choice (contact). Complaints are free. You must file within 6 months of your last day of work (complaint process).
Ontario: Call the Employment Standards Information Centre at 416-326-7160, or toll-free in Ontario at 1-800-531-5551. You can file a claim online, generally within two years (filing a claim).
Harassment: If you left or were pushed out because of harassment, read Bullying, harassment and discrimination at work.

Next steps

Find your next job in Metro Vancouver or the Greater Toronto Area
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Line up someone to vouch for you: References when you have no work experience